Circuit-controlling system



Jung 24, 1930. A. J. A. PETERSON CIRCUIT CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR A Ifred J. A. Pei-arson.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY June 24, 1930. A. J. A. PETERSON CIRCUIT CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3.

INVENTOR Alfred J. A. Pererson.

WITNESSES:

AT'TORNEY CIRCUIT CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.4.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR Alfred J. A. Peferson.

Patented une 24, 1930 UNITVED; STATES {P/ATENT OFFICE" ALFRED J. A. PETERSOIN, E wILKINsEUEG, PENNsYEvA rA, ASSIGNOR TO WEST- INGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 01 PENN- sYLvAnm CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING SYSTEM Application filed December 20, 19 23. Serial No. 681,785.

My invention relates to circuit controlling systems and particularlyto operating mechanisms for circuit interrupters.

- One object of my invention is to provide a 5 circuit controlling system that shall have a.

plurality of circuit interrupters and a common operating mechanism therefor to which each of the circuit interrupters is adapted to be selectively connected Another object to my invention is to provide a plurality of circuit interrupters with a common operating mechanism to which any one or all of the circuits interrupters may be connected for simultaneous operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a circuit interrupter system that shall have a common mechanism for simultaneously closing all 'ci'rcujit interrupters of a polyphase group that have opened by reason of line trouble in order that the same line conditions may be reestablished if the fault is still present in order to obtain satisfactory operation of any external controlling devices.

Another object of my invention is to pro- 2 vide a circuit-interrupter system that shall have a common mechanism for the selective L actuation of a plurality of circuit interrupters, eitherby direct manipulation or by a remotely-disposed control switch.

80 A further object of my invention is to provide a circuit-interrupte system that shall have a common actuating echanism for closing all circuit interrupters that are in their open positions unless prevented by direct manual manipulation, or by remotely-con trolled operations.

The details of the circuit interrupters shown in this application are shown and de-. scribed in the application of Ernest K. Read,

40 Case No. 10,314, Serial No. 643,149, filed June 4, 1923, and assignedto the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, which matured into Patent No. 1,611,779, on December 21,1926. In the accompanying drawings,

,Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a three-pole circuit interrupter embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof,

Fig. 3 is a view, partially in perspective and partially in section, of. the controlling mechanism in its operative positiomwhen the circuit interrupter is in closed position, and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of circuits and apparatus embodying my invention.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, my invention comprises, in general,-a motor or electromagnet 5 that actuates a shaft 6 that, in turn, is adapted to actuate a plurality of circuit interrupters 7 through selective clutch mechanisms8.' The electromagnet 5 and the clutch mechanisms 8 are provided with remotely-disposed control switches 9.

In Figs. land 2, I have shown a plurality of alined circuit-interrupter clutch mechanis s 8 and associated signal switches 11. Whi e I have shown three'circuit interrupters for controlling a three-phase electrical circuit, it is to be understood that my ,invention is applicable to any one or any 4 group of the alined circuit interrupters or to any polyphase circuit. 'The details 6f the circuit interrupters 7 and signal switches 11 form no part of my invention except in so far as they are necessary to complete my improved circuit-interrupter system.

A clutch mechanism 8 is associated with .each circuit interrupter 7, and is actuated from the shaft 6 that extends adjacent to, and is common to, all the alined clutch mech anisms 8. 'The shaft 6 is secured in juxtaposition to the circuit interrupters 7 by aseries of brackets 12 that are bolted to-a frame 13. A pair of electroinagnets 14 and 15 for each clutch mechanism 8, are secured beneath the frame 13, the electromagnet 14; being placed in front of the electromagnet 15. Each electromagnet comprises a core member 16'of inverted U-shape and a pivoted armature 17 having a. projecting portion 18, that is adapted to completethe, magnetic circuit through I M cam 22 that extends outwardl 21 that is actuated by the electromagnet 5. Clamped to the shaft 6 in alinement with each clutch mechanism 8, is a curved driving from, and parallel to, the shaft 6. The ever arm and the cam 22 may be formed as a unit, if desired. As shown in Fig. 2, a lever arm 23 carrying a link 24 that .is connected to the signal switch 11, ispivoted on the fram 13 for co-operation with the link mechanism 25 that terminates in a rod 26. llhe rod 26 is actuated by the clutch mechanism 8 to open and close the associated circuit interrupter 7 in a manner more fully described hereinafter.

The rod 26 is pivotally attached to an arm of a bell crank lever 27 that is loosely mounted on the shaft 6, the other arm of which carries a roller 28 adjacent to a cam face 29.

A second bell crank lever 31 is loosely mounted on the shaft 6, one arm being provided with a face 32 for engagement with the driving cam 22. The other end of the crank 31 terminates in a hard steel insert 33 and an enlarged bearing surface 34, shown in Fig. 3, for the attachment of parts hereinafter described. It is to be observed that the bell crank lever 27is mounted on the shaft 6 between the driving cam 22 and the crank 31. A spring 35 is secured to the frame 13 and to each crank 31 to bias the latter in a counter-clockwise direction in order to keep the cam 22 and the face 32 in co-operative relation. A lever arm '36 that is pivoted to the bracket 12, terminates in a face 37 that is adapted for engagement with the cam 29 on the crank 27.

Midway of the length of the lever arm 36, there is mounted a roller 38 that is adapted to engage the insert 33 on the crank 31. A

coil spring 39, that is carried on the under surface of the frame 13, bears against the lever 36. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be observed that over-travel of the lever 36 is prevented by reason of the fact that it is also in engagement with one or both of the cranks 27 or 31. The bearing surface 34 on the crank 31 carries a latch 41 that is biased in a counter-clockwise direction by a spring. (not shown), the latch 41 is provided with a portion adapted to engage the projecting portion 18 of either electromagnet 14 or 15. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the circuits of the electromagnets 14 and 15 are controlled by remotely-disposed switches 9.

' An electromagnet 42 of small capacity is secured to the frame of each of the electromagnets 14, and to the associated latch 19a by a series of links 43, for actuating the associated latch to its inoper ativeposition. A spring 44, attached to the frame of the electromagnet 14, normally retains the latch in its upper or inoperative position. By manually drawing the latch 19a down in the rear of the associated projection 18 against the spring 44, it is possible mechanically toprevent the operation of the clutch 8. A remotely-disposed switch 45 is provided for cont-rolling the electromagnet 42. Accordingly, the latch 19a may be released manually at the circuit interrupter or electrically from a remotely-located station.

In the operation of a circuit-interrupter system embodying my invention, the electromagnet 5 is first actuated to impart a rocking movement to the shaft 6. The crank 31 is actuated clockwise by the engagementof the cam 22 with the face 32, whereupon the latch 41 engages the roller 28. During this movement of the crank 31, the crank 27 is drawn to the closed position of the circuit interrupter, shown in Fig. 3. During the movement of the crank 27, the rod 26 actuates the link mechanism 25, to move the lever arm 23 of the associated circuit interrupter and the signal switch 11 to their closed positions.

At the end of the stroke of the crank 31, the roller 38 drops behind the insert 33 to hold the crank 31 in closed position. It is to be observed that in the closed positlon of the circuit interrupter, the associated operating mechanism is out of operating engagement with the shaft 6. In the event that it is desired to retain anyone of the circuit interrupters 7 in its open position, the circuit of the corresponding electromagnet 14 is energized, whereuponthe latch 41 is engaged by the projection 18 of the electromagnet 14 and the engagement between the latch 41 and the roller-28. I p In the event that it is desired to move anyone of the circuit interrupters 7 to its open position, the corresponding'electromagnet 15 is energized and the associated projection 18 engages the latch 41 causing the latter to turn about its pivot, thereby permitting its release from the roller 28. The crank 27 returns to its forward position under the influence of the force of gravity acting upon the rod 26 and the mechanism 23 attached thereto. When the crank 27 nears the end of its forward stroke, the cam 29 engages the surface 37 of the lever 36, whereby thelatter is given a clockwise movement about its pivot. This turning movement is sufficient to release the insert 33 from under the roller 38, whereupon the crank 31 moves into its forward position by reason of the tension in the spring 35. So long as the crank 27 remains in its forward position, the roller 38 is held out of engagement by the insert 33 on the oscillating crank 31 by reason of the engagement of the cam 29 and the surface 37 of the lever 36.

It is obvious that any circuit interrupter 7 may be similarly opened by a manual manipulation of the handle 19 attached to the core claims.

mechanism 8 in this application, a'more detailed description and drawings thereof may be found in the Patent No. 1,611,779, granted to Ernest K. Read as hereinbefore referred to.

.It is to be observed that each circuit interrupter 7 is actuated to its closed posit-ion by the first upward movement ofthe shaft 6 after it has reached its open position and that it is necessary to positively actuate the clutch 8 to prevent sucha closing operation. It is to be observed that the circuit inter- ;rupers are closed bythe operation of the electromagnet 5 through the shaft 6, but that the opening operation thereof is independent of the shaft 6, only the force of gravity and that of the coil springs being employed.

It is to-be observed also that the several remotely-disposed switches shown in my system may be located a considerable distance from their associated circuit interrupters. Also an indefinite number of circuit interrupters 7 may be positioned to be controlled by a single shaft 6.

I do not wish to be restricted to the specific circuit connections or arrangement of parts herein set forth, as various modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I desire, there-.

fore, that only such limitations shall be im-. posed as are indicated in the appended I claimas my invention: 1. The'combination with a plurality ofcircuit interrupters and a common actuating mechanism therefor comprising a shaft, of

' a mechanism for operatively connecting the shaft to each of the circuit interrupters during the closing operation thereof, and electrically controlled means associated with each of said connecting mechanisms for tripping the corresponding circuit interrupter independently of said shaft.

2. The combination with a plurality of circuit interrupters and a common actuating mechanism therefor comprising a shaft, of mechanism for selectively operatively connecting the graft to each of the circuit in terrupters during the closing operation thereof, and means associated with each of.

- said connecting mechanisms for tripping the circuit interrupters independently of said shaft.

3. The combination with a, plurality of circuit interrupters, a motor device and a shaft actuated thereby, of remotely controlled means associated with each of said circuit interrupters for causing said shaft to move the selected circuit interrupter to its closed position, and other remotely controlled means associated with each circuit interrupter for tripping the'selected circuit interrupter independently of the movement of said shaft.

4. The combination with-a plurality of circuit interrupters, a motor device, and a shaft actuated thereby, of clutch means associated with each of said circuit interrupters for causing said shaft normally to move each open circuit interrupter to its closed position, mechanically-controlled means 'for preventing the operation of the clutch means, and means for controlling said preventing means.

5. A system for controlling a circuit-breaker comprising a shaft, a motor for driving said shaft, an arm fixed to said shaft, links for connecting the arm and the circuit-breaker, said links including two pivoted clutch members adapted to be normally engaged, a solenoid for Withdrawing one of said members from engagement 'with the other to cause the circuit-breaker to open independently of said shaft, a second solenoid for withdrawing said other clutch member to prevent operation of the circuit-breaker by the rotation of said arm, a latch for maintaining said last-mentioned clutch member in the disengaged position, and a solenoid for retracting said latch.

6. A system for controlling a circuit-breaker comprising a shaft, a motor for driving said shaft, an arm fixed to said shaft, links for connecting the arm and the circuit-breaker, said links including a plurality of clutch members adapted to be normally engaged, one of said members being pivoted, a solenoid for withdrawing said pivoted member'out of engagement with another of said clutch members whereby the operative connection between said shaft and said circuit-breaker is broken, a latch for locking said pivoted member in the disengaged position, and a solenoid for retracting said latch.

7. A system for controlling a circuit-breaker comprising a shaft, a motor for driving said shaft, an arm fixed to said shaft, links for connecting the arm and the circuit-breaker, said links including a plurality of clutch I members adapted to be normally engaged, one of saidmembers being pivoted, and a solenoid for withdrawing said pivoted member out of engagement with another of said clutch members, whereby the operative connection between said shaft and said circuitbreaker is broken.

8. In a circuit-breaker-operating system, a plurality. of circuit-breakers, a rotatable shaft, and link mechanism having disconnectible members for connecting said circuit-breakers to said shaft, means for disconnecting said members of said link mechanism, and latching means for said disconnecting means.

9. A system for operating a plurality of circuit-breakers comprising a rotatable shaft, a normally engaged connecting links between said shaft and saidcircuit-br'eakers for closing all of said breakers that may be open, by one movement of said shaft, means for breaking the connection between said shaft and said breakers to trip the breakers open, means to prevent the reclosing of the breakers by the operation of said shaft, and latching means for said last-mentioned means.

10. The combination, in a circuit-breakeroperating system, with a plurality of circuitbreakers, and a rotatable shaft, of a plurality of normally engaged disconnectible links for connecting said shaft and said breakers, whereby said breakers may be closed by the rotation of said shaft, means for disconnecting said disconnectible links to permit the circuit breakers to open independently of the operation of the shaft, and means for disconnecting said disconnectible links to prevent the closing of the interrupters by the rotation of the shaft.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed by name this 4th day of December, 1923.

ALFRED J. A. PETERSON. 

